How to write a great letter to the editor
A letter to the editor is a highly effective way of making a positive impact on the public discourse in your community. Community leaders and local politicians often read published letters to get a sense of public opinion. If you mention an organization or prominent individual in your letter, the organization or individual's media liaison will most likely see that letter during a regular scan of the media.
Keep your letter to 200 words or fewer. Newspapers will sometimes edit your letter down to as few as three sentences, so make sure each sentence is relevant to the letter's overall point. Letters to the editor are opinion pieces, so make sure your first sentence states your point of view. For example: "I was disappointed that John Doe's October 6 article on taxes used inaccurate statistics to paint a bleak picture of the region's economy."
Each newspaper usually provides several ways to submit your letter to the editor -- make sure you send your letter to the right destination at the newspaper. A newspaper will often have a dedicated email address, mailing address, or fax number that accepts letters to the editor. Newspapers often specify what information they need in order to publish a letter; be sure your letter includes that information. You should also include your contact information (full name, address, telephone number, and email address). Newspapers will often contact writers before they publish their letters to ensure the letters are genuine. Newspapers typically publish letters with the author's name and home town (for example: "John Doe, Washington, DC"), so make sure whatever you say in your letter is something you would feel comfortable saying aloud in a room full of your fellow citizens.
If your letter is published, please let us know.
